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UNIT 6: Young Nation
UNIT 6: Young Nation
LESSON: Quasi War
LESSON: Quasi War
Tennessee State Standards:
Tennessee State Standards:
8.27 Explain the controversies that plagued the administration of President John Adams, including: the conflicts with Great Britain and France, the XYZ Affair, and the Alien and Sedition Acts.
8.27 Explain the controversies that plagued the administration of President John Adams, including: the conflicts with Great Britain and France, the XYZ Affair, and the Alien and Sedition Acts.
JOHN ADAMS BECOMES THE SECOND PRESIDENT
JOHN ADAMS BECOMES THE SECOND PRESIDENT
THE XYZ AFFAIR
THE XYZ AFFAIR
When John Adams became President, France and Great Britain were at war. France had originally been an ally of the US, but they were now upset with the United States because Jay's Treaty with Britain. As a retaliation for Jay's Treaty, the French began attacking US ships. When news of this reached President Adams, he was furious. He sent delegates to France with the hopes of making peace with the French.
The American delegates, led by John Marshall, traveled to France to discuss the situation. When they arrived, they were met by three Frenchman, who were later referred to by the code names "X, Y, and Z." The men code named X,Y,&Z were scheduled to meet with the US delegates, but before they would negotiate, they wanted the United States to pay a huge bribe. France wanted the payment because they were still upset about Jay's Treaty. The United States delegates left without paying any bribes. The incident became known as the "XYZ Affair."
When the delegates returned to the US, they notified President Adams about the bribe. President Adams was angry with France, but he was also afraid. Adams wondered if this could mean a real war with France was right around the corner. Just in case, President Adams and the Federalists began preparing for war, while building up the Army and the Navy.
THE QUASI WAR
THE QUASI WAR
After the XYZ Affair, the United States and Great Britain began fighting at sea in what was known as the Quasi War. While both nations never actually declared war on each other, deadly fighting did take place. This conflict was fought entirely on water, primarily in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean between the US and French Navies. The war lasted for two years, from 1798 to 1800. The war finally ended with the Convention of 1800.
THE ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS
THE ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS
During the Quasi War, President Adams and the Federalists passed the Alien & Sedition Acts. These acts made it illegal to speak negatively about the government. Adams and the Federalists wanted to silence people who were speaking out about the Quasi War.
Many people, including Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans, did not agree with the Alien & Sedition Acts. Many Democratic Republicans thought that the acts were limiting free speech and were a violation of the first amendment. President Adams argued that the Alien and Sedition Acts strengthened national security.
Many of the people who were against the acts began to speak out. Some Democratic Republicans even wrote articles in newspapers criticizing Adams and the Federalists for passing the Alien and Sedition Acts. President Adams and the government arrested 20 newspaper editors who allowed these articles to be published.
The Democratic Republicans were furious when they heard about the arrests. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison stated that they believed the Alien & Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. By the time Thomas Jefferson became President, the Alien & Sedition Acts had been repealed or expired.
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